I Heart Horror… ‘Shuttle’

Hey Fiends!   Welcome to the brand new column called “I Heart Horror”. My name is Andy Triefenbach & I will be your ghoulish guide  delivering  movie reviews, DVD announcements, DVD release dates, trailers that I think you should check out and more all to one place.    

A little about me, I run a podcast called DESTROY THE BRAIN.   I have been doing the podcast for about 2 years now with 20 years under my belt in the horror genre & sub-genres.   I look forward to spilling my guts about films that I think deserve a viewing and also conversing with you through the comments options here on WAMG.

Pick of the Week – ‘Shuttle’:

For you seasoned horror fans out there, we all know that a bad description or a DVD cover can throw us off and make us skip a film in a heartbeat – if you have a pulse.   I recently received ‘Shuttle’ courtesy of Magnolia Home Entertainment and I will be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to it.   I didn’t request it and it looked like another Damsel-in-distress movie.   The ladies in their undergarments at the bottom of the DVD didn’t help either.

The story seemed rather pedestrian and familiar.   Two girls who are BFF’s return to their home airport after a vacation in Mexico.   Since they had to catch a red eye flight to get home, transportation options are minimal and it’s raining.   Bad news ladies.   I wished these ladies the best and would hope they would stay dry and I figured they would given the title of the film.   The girls pick a shuttle over the other due to a lower price, but they get more than what they bargained for – see what this economy does?!

Shuttle packs a punch and enough twists in it to inject the jolt that you needed. That’s not to say it is perfect.   It does, unfortunately, have some of those scenes where the victim should have done one thing and end it all.   However, it should not spoil your good time.

Director Edward Anderson, who also wrote the film, knows the modern horror/thriller audience and he uses previous film structures against you.   Shuttle knows that the story and set up has been done before, but that is it’s strength.   It can turn something that has been done a million times over and turn it into something fresh.   To talk much more about the film will take away the charm and inner workings of the film.   I assure you that you will have a good time and it is definitely worth your rental money.   Compentently acted and directed, Shuttle is a nice hidden gem that has the power of being one of those films where it will grow an audience through word of mouth.

Horror News:

• According to AICN, Park Chan Wook’s ‘Thirst’ will be receiving a theatrical release courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES on July 31.   I’m assuming it will be in limited release, but nothing has been confirmed.
• While Lionsgate isn’t looking to make a sequel to ‘My Bloody Valentine 3D’, they are looking into remaking another Canadian slasher film – ‘Happy Birthday to Me’.   Yes, Lionsgate is developing ‘Happy Birthday to Me 3D’.  
• For you PC & XBOX 360 Gamers, ‘Left 4 Dead 2’ was announced at E3 on Monday.   The game will be unleashed on November 17, 2009 and will have new characters and new weapons, including a chainsaw!

DVD & Blu-Ray Releases for June 9th:

Busey's Chompers, Glover's Old Age Routine & Pussymouth

Trailer Park:

Paintball  (Filmmax) – Note: This is in Spanish, but I think it gives viewers a better idea of how the film feels over the teaser trailer – which did nothing for me.

Also, Kirk posted the ‘Grace’ trailer yesterday – this is a definite watch.

Before I close the coffin, I wanted to implore you all to read Travis’ article on the Nightbreed fiasco that is happening.   I love this film and would love to see the extended edition.

Also, why not end this bitch on a deal – Since tons of critics are still talking about Lars Von Trier’s ‘Antichrist’, DeepDiscount.com is having a deal on his ‘Kingdom’ series.   This is the series that inspired Stephen King’s ‘Kingdom Hospital’.   And by inspire, I mean stole.   You can pick up both seasons (series) at DeepDiscount for under $30!

Adiós Creeps!